Tag: Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program

Rolla ELA Student Working Hard to Become Citizen

February 21, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

Tsiala “Manana” Alaverdashvili began attending English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes in Rolla in 2016.

Her instructor, Jean Craft, said that she studies very hard.

“She studies all the time, especially for the citizenship test. I think she knows all of the answers,” asserts Craft.

In English class, Manana works on reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

“(English) speaking and yes, listening, they are very hard things,” she admitted, with a little laugh.

Manana grew up in Gori, Georgia and then moved to Tbilisi with her husband, Ramaz. Georgian is her native language and she also speaks Russian fluently and can read and write German.

While living in Tbilisi, where her husband worked as a physicist, Manana was the principal librarian for 56 branches of libraries. She held this position from 2004 to 2015.

Prior to this, she worked as a kindergarten teacher and held various positions at Tbilisi State University.

Since moving to Rolla in 2016, Manana has also worked to serve those in need. From 2016-2017, she worked with the Salvation Army.

Since March, 2018, Manana has volunteered at the Rolla Mission.

“There are good people at the Mission – friendly people,” expressed Manana.

At the Rolla Mission she helps serve breakfast and lunch. She washes the dishes for 30-35 people and cleans the facility. At times, she helps sort the items that are donated to the Mission.

Manana genuinely cares about the welfare of others.

“As it is known, there are homeless people at the Mission. Some of them have physical or mental disabilities, therefore they need help. I like very much when I am helping people in need.”

“She is a very kind person and makes friends wherever she goes,” Craft said. “It is very easy to like her.”

Manana has two children, a daughter, Elene, who is a Chemist living in Georgia and a son, Bachana, who is a Physics professor living in Santa Clara, Calif.

She has two grandchildren living in Georgia, Andrea who is 7 and Anastasia who is 4. Although she doesn’t get back to visit them, they often see one another remotely online.

Family ties are very important to Manana. One of the things she likes so much about the U.S. is linked to this.

“American people love family. I love the friendly relations in the USA.”

Ramaz, her husband, works at Missouri State University. He is a physicist who works in Science and Technology.

“He is retired but still works,” Manana added.

She noted that her plan is to become an American citizen.

“This is my dream and goal.”

There are those in the world who inspire and support others’ opportunities to grow and transform. Manana is a great example of that kind of consideration.

Learn more about or sign up for the AEL program.

English Acquisition Instructor Knows the Challenge of Learning a New Language

December 7, 2021 | Campus News

Peggy Boyer has frequently traveled internationally, and while in college she studied and learned foreign languages.

Those experiences help her empathize with her students in their desire to learn English, and she understands the challenges they face.

Boyer is an English Language Acquisition (ELA) instructor through the Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program at East Central College.

Her three-hour class, two days each week, is packed full of teaching and learning. The students build their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, as well as civics and workplace essentials.

“If you have a willingness to learn, we will help you,” Boyer said.

The students who attend her ELA class aren’t visitors on a vacation — they are living, working, and raising families here, where they are surrounded by the English language.

“I encourage my students to put themselves out there and talk to people in English whenever they can,” Boyer added, “and to read and write English outside of the classroom as well.”

She also urges people in the community to slow down when speaking to an English-language learner.

Boyer notes that she has had students from countries all over the world: China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Russia, Ecuador, Brazil, Romania, and others.

“They like to learn about our culture,” Boyer commented. “They want to know the right way to do things.” The conversations and lessons they have in class help them gain confidence to use English outside of the classroom.

Her students have asked her things, such as, how to get a pool pass, how to pay a city bill, and even how a funeral in America takes place, and what they should do when they go.

When Boyer recently was planning to attend a wedding in Brazil, one of her students explained how weddings there differ from weddings in America.

“She showed me pictures of a wedding that she attended in Brazil and the evening wear that everyone was dressed in. My students teach me, too. I’m learning all the time,” said Boyer.

Through her ELA curriculum, students also learn about American civics.

“Some of my students’ long-range hope is to become a United States citizen,” she said. “It’s important for them to know the background and the history of our country.”

In the past, she has been able to go with her students to events. They have attended a baseball game, a poetry reading, Earth Day, and International Day events, among other outings.

Boyer absolutely loves teaching and has done so for more than 35 years. Furthermore, she loves meeting people from other countries and sharing knowledge with them.

“It’s just right up my alley to do this. I’m proud of my job, and I’m proud of what we do in the Adult Education and Literacy program,” she added. “What we do at ECC is important.”

To learn more about ELA or the Adult Education and Literacy program at ECC, visit https://www.eastcentral.edu/ael/, email ael@eastcentral.edu, or call 636-584-6533.

Robert Whitworth — Prioritizing Education Through AEL Program

September 16, 2021 | Campus News

With a full-time job, 17 grandkids, a wife working a full-time job and striving to build a new home, Robert Whitworth has his hands full.

And yet, here he is, challenging himself to earn his High School Equivalency (HSE) credential.

That’s why he enrolled in East Central College’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) HSE preparation class.

“I didn’t have a chance much when I was in high school,” Whitworth said. “The teachers here are a lot different. These teachers care.”

Whitworth, of Franklin County, makes time for class and learning while juggling his other commitments.

“This is kind of important to me,” he added. “It’s a good program and they’re there to help you out a lot.”

Whitworth has a goal to take his High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) and earn his HSE by the time he retires within the next year. He credits his teacher and tutors for keeping him motivated.

“I’m learning a lot. I’ll get my High School Equivalency, and I’ll have it when I retire,” he said. “I don’t know what I’ll do with it, but I’ll have it.”

When in class, Whitworth tries to work through new objectives on his own, but his instructor is there to help when necessary.

“You don’t learn if you don’t try,” he said. “When I need help, my teacher is there to help me.”

“Robert is a perfect example of determination. With so many at home responsibilities, a full-time job, and a loving family, it is quite the choice to be made,” commented Lynette Williams, AEL instructor. “His efforts have not been in vain and his scores continue to excel. I congratulate him.”

“She’s been really great; a good teacher,” Whitworth added. “She makes me learn.”

Whitworth has a message for anyone who is considering a HSE preparation class through AEL.

“Every time is the right time to do it,” he said. “If you don’t have the time, you need to make the time. It’s a good program and it’ll help you out a lot.”

To learn more about ECC’s AEL program, visit www.eastcentral.edu/ael/

AEL Program Receives Dollar General Grant for Literacy

June 3, 2021 | Campus News

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded the East Central College Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program with a $10,000 grant.

The grant will be used to support literacy by helping to fund a volunteer coordinator for the program, according to AEL Director Alice Whalen.

“There are more than 15,000 adults in the East Central College service district without a high school diploma, and more than 3,000 who solely speak a language other than English at home,” she said.

“The grant will strengthen our partnerships with the East Central Area Literacy Council and the work of the county committees which serve the needs of our students, volunteers and teachers.”

Whalen added that the AEL program is free to everyone.

There are day classes available in Franklin and Phelps counties, including Sullivan, Union, Washington and Rolla.

There are evening classes in Franklin, Crawford, Gasconade, Montgomery and Phelps counties.

For times and locations visit www.eastcentral.edu/ael/.

Dollar General Grant

This local grant is part of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s recent award of $10.5 million donation to support family and adult literacy programs, representing the organization’s largest one-day grant donation in its 28-year history.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading.

Literacy Foundation

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $197 million in grants, helping more than 14 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency.

To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

Student’s Path to Success Travels Through Adult Education

January 28, 2021 | Campus News

Returning to the classroom after several years can be a daunting task.
But when you are as determined as New Haven area woman Vanessa Monroy, the twists and turns along the way become manageable over time.

“It’s been a long journey,” said Monroy, a recent High School Equivalency (HSE) certificate recipient and an East Central College Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) student.

Her journey began years ago when she and her family lived in the Chicago, Ill., area. There, Monroy tried several times to attend class to build her skills.

“The teachers just sat us down with a book and everyone started at the same place. If we had a question, the teacher would say, ‘find the answer in the book,’ ” Monroy remembered.

At the time, she had been laid off from her job of nearly 10 years as a front office assistant for a web development company. Then, her husband got a job transfer to a company in St. Charles.

The couple bought a home near New Haven and their children began school. But Monroy wanted to show she could do more.

“I love being a mom and wife but needed more for myself,” she said.

Getting Started

Monroy was unsure if she wanted to start a new high school equivalency program because of her prior experience. However, she called the AEL office at ECC in Union and signed up for the orientation.

“From orientation to the classroom, everyone was engaging and helpful,” she said. “When I walked into the Washington classroom and saw my brother’s name on a graduation cap on the wall, I thought, ‘Okay. Maybe doing the program here was meant to be.’ ”

She didn’t feel as if she was in a race with anyone to finish and could learn at her own pace.

“I wasn’t expecting so much help,” Monroy added. “The one-on-one with Betsy (Williams) was a huge, big deal.”

Williams is the AEL instructor for the Washington daytime class. Monroy said that she appreciates the instructor for pushing her and reminding her of her goal.

“She took the extra time to make me feel positive and comfortable,” she commented. “Betsy is an awesome teacher.”

According to Williams, Monroy was ready to learn from Day 1.

“Vanessa came to my class with the desire and dedication,” Williams said. “She just needed direction and encouragement.

“Like most of my students, she had things outside of the classroom that required a lot of her attention, but she made school a priority. She definitely earned this,” she added.

Receives Certificates

As Monroy worked on HSE skills, she also completed two “Workplace Essentials” courses. She received certificates in customer service and digital literacy, which includes certification in Microsoft Word and Excel.

She remarks that the courses are useful for the workplace as well as in daily life, and Monroy can now enhance her resume with the certifications.

She also advises others who want to take classes and work toward earning their HSE certificate to not overthink it.

“We sometimes set ourselves up with our own obstacles,” Monroy said. “There are only positives that come from earning your High School Equivalency certificate.”

Mary Eagan, as transitions coordinator for the AEL program, is now working with Monroy in planning her next steps.

“Using a career cluster inventory, we were able to focus her attention on areas that align to her interests,” Eagan said. “She in now exploring opportunities that fit her as an individual.”

A career cluster is a group of careers that share common features. Those who like one job in a career cluster, are likely to enjoy jobs that are in the same cluster.

Monroy isn’t sure what she wants to do next, although she’s certain she wants to continue her education — and she knows there are many opportunities that she didn’t have without her HSE.

According to Monroy, she and her family have encountered many challenges since December 2019. She added that she has learned to work through those challenges and is making the most of life.

“I’m really grateful for Betsy and everyone with the Adult Education & Literacy program,” Monroy said. “The program they have is amazing.”

Monroy passed the High School Equivalency exam in December 2020.

“I can’t go backward now. I can only move forward.”

Adult Education Instructor Encourages Students to Persevere

January 12, 2021 | Campus News

In order to improve over time, we all share the need to move forward even when it’s difficult.

That’s according to Kathy Amsinger, an adult education instructor, who teaches her students to persevere and persist in order to reach their goals.

Amsinger teaches with the Adult Education & Literacy (AEL) program, offered through East Central College, at the Rolla and St. James class locations. She has been the instructor at these sites for over six years, and prior to that taught at Linn and Cuba.

Each student who attends AEL classes receives an individualized lesson plan.

Amsinger added that 90-95 percent of the students need help with math. She helps them “fill in the holes” of what they’ve missed.

Amsinger said she loves watching the transition that takes place in her student’s attitudes and beliefs. The tools that she gives them to build skills in math carry over to the other subjects as well.

She stresses that critical thinking and seeking out detail are essential to success in all areas, and that due to modern day technology, we tend to scan for information more than look for details.

“The good news is, you can learn,” Amsinger said.

With her years of experience, her view is that it may be scary for some adult learners to begin this journey, wondering if they’ll succeed or if they’ll face disappointment. Amsinger once had an instructor tell her, “it’s about 10 percent academics and 90 percent working on how they perceive themselves.”

Part of her mission is to encourage students to learn how to motivate themselves with positive self-talk.

She has been faced with helping students that were ready to take the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) and didn’t believe in themselves, as well as students who were not yet ready to test and thought they could pass.

To each group, she teaches the same concept.

“How we deal with ups and downs determines our success,” Amsinger said. “It takes hard work and sweat equity; pushing through days when you want to give up.”

While many students face obstacles, Amsinger lets her students know that an excuse can turn into a habit, and that she will help them develop effective routines.

“It’s exciting to help them in this journey,” she added. “It’s all about their success —That’s why I keep doing it.”

She has witnessed many changes in the program, including the objectives the students are supposed to meet, and explains that changes have been good for the most part.

Amsinger promotes ECC and its quest to award a Transition Scholarship for a free three credit hour course to graduates of the AEL program.

“They invest in our students. Yay, East Central!” Amsinger tells her students.

Her goal is to prepare each of her students to pass the HiSET and earn their High School Equivalency certificate, then see them move on to more achievements. She inspires in her students a willingness to work hard, continue to grow and remain teachable.

“We are all the same. We are all a work in progress.”

AEL Instructor to Retire After 13 Years

December 17, 2020 | Campus News

Don Boettcher is hanging up his hat after 13 years as an instructor with East Central College’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program.

Boettcher, 87, taught college and career readiness classes. That Includes assisting students who did not have a high school diploma prepare for the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), formerly called the GED.

According to Alice Whalen, AEL director, Boettcher cared deeply about his job as an instructor and each student he taught.

“Don has adapted to many changes in the adult education program over the years, but his care and support for the students has never changed,” she said, “He has always shown the greatest care and concern for their success.”

His AEL teaching career began after he got a call from ECC in 2007 to teach GED classes.

The college was offering high school equivalency classes in the Gerald area and needed someone nearby to teach evening classes.

Boettcher taught HiSET prep courses two nights a week at New Life Tabernacle in Gerald. He taught students a variety of subjects to help prepare them for the test.

After teaching students in the Gerald area for a few years, Boettcher taught at the Sullivan class site.

About Boettcher

Boettcher and his wife, MaryJane, live in Sullivan. He is originally from Cleveland, Ohio. The couple moved to Missouri in 1965.

He had served in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s, and later he worked as a market researcher for a Canadian-owned brewing company. When the couple moved to Missouri Boettcher was a market planning manager, and at one point he worked at an advertising firm.

AEL Program

ECC’s AEL program offers several programs to help adult learners with workforce training skills, English Language Acquisition, Communication and Customer Service Certificate Programs and much more.

AEL instructors must have a bachelor’s degree, pass a fingerprint background check and complete training for certification once hired.

Volunteers with the program must complete a Missouri background check and complete virtual training with the East Central Area Literacy Council.

To learn more about the AEL Program, people may visit www.eastcentral.edu/ael/.

Area residents interested in becoming instructors or classroom assistants may call 636-584-6533 or email ael@eastcentral.edu.

Three Career Courses to be Offered at ECC

December 15, 2020 | Campus News

There are new career courses available to students who enroll in East Central College’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Program.

The Fast-Track classes begin in January 2021, so students must enroll quickly to complete the required AEL orientation prior to classes beginning. Local job centers will provide financial assistance for eligible students.

According to Alice Whalen, AEL director, Certified Nursing Assistant and Intro to HVAC courses are available at the Union ECC campus. A Maintenance Assistant (MA) certificate program will be available at the ECC Rolla North site.

“Students need to register now to begin these classes on time,” Whalen said. “The two-part orientation includes a meeting via Zoom followed by a day in person, masks required. Both steps must be completed.”

Proof of income and other documents are required if students are seeking a scholarship or funding assistance.

The Zoom orientation meetings are Monday, Jan. 5, from 5-6 p.m., or Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 10-11 a.m.

The in-person classes are Friday, Jan. 8, at ECC in Union; The classes are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In Rolla, the in-person class is Saturday, Jan. 9, at ECC North.

Complete the registration form at eastcentral.edu/ael or call 844-322-4235 for more information.

Job Centers

To confirm funding eligibility for the Fast-Track programs, contact the closest job center.

Contact Kim Kopp at the Washington Job Center at kkopp@mersgoodwill.org or 636-583-9649.

In Rolla, contact Trish Rogers with the Rolla Job Center at progers@copicinc.org or 573-364-7030.

For the Job Centers in Warren, Lincoln and Montgomery Counties, contact Janet Hickey at jhickey@boonslick.org or 636-456-9467.

Certified Nursing Assistant

The Certified Nursing Assistant program is available at the ECC Union campus and classes will be held four days each week.

The CNA training program prepares students for employment in a long-term care facility. It teaches skills in resident care under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse.

The state approved course requires 75 hours of classroom training, 100 hours of on-the-job training and successful completion of a two-part final examination, which includes a written (or oral) and practicum examination.

Some of the topics covered are basic nursing skills, fire safety, disaster training, resident safety and rights, social and psychological problems of residents and the methods of caring for the mentally confused residents, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease.

The cost of the program is $1,300.

Intro to HVAC

The Introduction to Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) will be taught at the ECC Union campus four evenings or three days each week.

In this course students learn the safe operation of hand and power tools used in the HVAC industry. They will learn the proper techniques in the use of testing equipment of high-pressure refrigeration systems and the basic operation of components typically in air conditioning systems.

Students will also learn the safety precautions needed to work on electrical systems used in the industry, as well as the safety precautions needed to work on electrical systems, learn to design basic electrical diagrams and apply diagrams to industry standards used in the HVAC industry.

The all-encompassing course will cover much more. The cost of the program is $1,600.

Maintenance Assistant

The Maintenance Assistant (MA) certificate program course. Taught at the ECC North site in Rolla, will be four evenings per week, or two day/two night “combos.”

A Maintenance Assistants (MA) certificate prepares students to understand the skills needed to ensure that facilities are clean and in good operating condition. Maintenance assistants are typically under the supervision of an experienced supervisor of maintenance.

This training is the first step in a career path to a supervisory position. The responsibilities of a MA could include cleaning buildings and rooms, and performing general maintenance and repair of the building, grounds, and equipment.

The cost of the course is $1,600.